Verizon closes in on Intel TV

Verizon Communications is nearing an agreement to purchase Intel’s Internet-based pay-TV startup. The deal could be confirmed as soon as this week according to reports.

Intel, which developed the OnCue service, took the decision earlier this year to seek a buyer rather than invest in the programming and bring it to market on its own.

Verizon, the second-largest US communications company, will use OnCue to extend its pay-TV offering beyond the geographic footprint of its FiOS fiber-optic service.

OnCue is designed to provide pay-TV programming over any high-speed Internet connection, making it a threat to US cable-TV services that deliver shows over dedicated lines restricted by territory. Intel’s system includes servers, STBs and applications that can stream content to televisions, phones and tablets.